The church had been surrounded by a burying-ground, where many had wished to repose, that they might, even in death, be near the relics of the three great patron saints of Erinn.

But the graves were exhumed without mercy, and many were obliged to carry away the bones of their relatives, and deposit them where they could.

The "great tomb," in which it was believed that "Patrick, Brigid, and Columkille" had slept for more than six centuries, was not spared; the remains were flung out into the churchyard, and only saved from further desecration by the piety of a faithful people.
The shrine of St.Patrick's hand was in possession of the late Catholic Bishop of Belfast.

The relic itself has long disappeared; but the shrine, after it was carried off by Bruce, passed from one trustworthy guardian to another, until it came into his hands.

One of these was a Protestant, who, with noble generosity, handed it over to a Catholic as a more fitting custodian.